EVERYDAY SUPERSTARS

Celebrating women who have a passion for technology and digital, inspiring the next generation to dream bigger.

Imaginify was a ... Fintech & Femtech Fanatic

Ghela founded Fentech Global and travels the world promoting diversity in tech. She is also head of fintech and regtech at Rainmaking Innovation.

FACTFILE

1

I'm a classically trained pianist - 20 years of study

2

I graduated uni at 19

3

I live out of a suitcase, I don't know why I bother having a flat

WHAT DO YOU DO?

Aside from promoting diversity in tech via Femtech, I actually run the partnerships in the financial technology and regulatory tech space for Rainmaking, which is the home of Startupbootcamp (corporate accelerator). This means keeping on top of emerging tech, understanding the use cases for that technology, and working with big corporates on how to partner with startup and scale-up tech companies. I get to deep dive into the solutions and play with the tech itself, but more importantly, I have to understand how applying any new technology can impact the business model; on top of that, I have to understand how regulation will determine the use of the tech, and how tech can impact regulatory oversight and systemic risk. It's about breaking business models and reinventing how financial services works.

What made you decide to do this?

My fascination with permission and power is at the root of this: money is merely a symbol for how we express our permission and power. Tech impacts how efficiently and effectively we can manage our permissions and power.

How did you get into that?

I came from a regulatory economic background, playing with cost models - and Fintech (financial technology) allowed me to combine my expertise in modeling with my passion for how money works.

How long have you been doing it?

When the opportunity arose 10+ years ago to do this, I jumped at the chance.

WHO INSPIRES YOU?

Any one who doesn't call it a "problem" but instead calls it a "challenging opportunity"

I think we can find inspiration in so many people, regardless of their station or experience. I'm inspired by attitudes rather than accomplishments. Attitude determines if we're open to learning from something rather than being overwhelmed or swallowed by a misstep or *gasp* failure. I'm inspired by anyone who has the patience to learn from a mistake, and to try again using that lesson. I'm not impressed by success, rather, I'm impressed (and inspired) by the lessons learned to earn that success. If you've learned something, you have my attention. And if you can credit the teacher of that lesson, you have my respect.

What are the best things about being a woman in an industry dominated by men?

Actually being connected to a sorority of women - the power of the feminine cabal (as one friend puts it). There is a stronger sense of alliance and support amongst the women in fintech than I've ever felt in another industry. It's about knowing that despite being the only woman in the room sometimes, that I can command authority and respect for being an expert in my field, and being someone who can execute and deliver. It's about watching younger women coming into the field and knowing I've played a part in making it easier for them to navigate some of the bias and pitfalls, and being their ally when things get challenging.

What advice do you have for girls or women considering a tech role?

You can get into tech without being a techie. I came at it through policy and regulation, and also through sales and marketing. I don't code, but I can translate business requirements for developers to understand the end goals. I can sit in a requirements session and determine who needs what data sets and what systems will need to generate that info. Most of all, I can understand how technology will impact the business model and workflow - and that means I belong at the tech table. You can belong there, too, even if you don't have a computer science background.